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Thursday, July 25, 2013

Operation: Ditch The Nunnie (Pacifier).

It was a spur of the moment decision.

I laid down alongside you in bed, like I do most nights, and as you asked for your "usual's," Hippy, water and your beloved nunnie, I took a deep breath, prepared myself for ensuing toddler wrath and explained to you how I thought we may have left all of the nunnies at the beach house. That we didn't have any more nunnies in our house here.

I waited.

I waited for the tears and as your mouth turned down at the corners and tears began to prick your eyes, my heart began to ache. I quickly ran my fingers through your curly blonde hair and asked you not to be sad. I asked if you thought that perhaps you could try going to sleep without your nunnie tonight. That maybe you could hug tight your animal friends instead.

My sweet big boy.

You took some serious time to think about my proposition. You glanced around your bed and fingered Hippy and Puppy. You patted Mister White Bear's head. Then, you looked up at me, so sweet and thoughtful and brave and you said, "OK, Mom. I do it."

I squeezed you so tight and as I did, I could feel the lone nunnie that I had tucked into the waistband of my pj pants. The one that I tucked there just in case. Just in case you weren't ready. I would have pulled it out in a heartbeat.

But you are so brave. And smart. And so big. You continue to amaze me.

I promised to take you shopping for a new toy in the morning. We talked about what you would buy. Maybe a train or a truck. Maybe some water balloons.

This was much harder for me than for you. It was the last hint of baby about you. My first baby. The one who made me Mama.

Now you're a boy. Not just any boy, though. You're my sweet big boy. My heart.

I am so proud of you.

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Edited to add because lot's of questions have started rolling in:

- I had "planned" to take away the pacifier when Carter turned two but being as that was only a month after his brother was born, I didn't want to drastically alter his world any more. Not to mention that I didn't want him to think it was "ok" for the baby to get a pacifier but there he was being punished for having one. So? We kept it.

- Carter turns three next week. I wanted and knew that I needed to wait to try this until he could reason and understand a little better. Any earlier and I know it would have resulted in tantrums and tears and again, it wasn't hurting anyone. So? We kept it.

- He has done so awesome. The next morning we drove to Target after breakfast and we talked about how he gets to pick out a toy because he's a big boy and the nunnies are "all gone," emphasis on the "all gone" part. He slept through the night just fine, never waking or asking for one and he went the entire next day without searching for or asking for it. I have my doubts that it could really be this easy- but so far, so good. One day at a time.

I'm trying not to stress the poor kid out!

- The next morning when I was explaining all of this to my mom on the phone- talking about how proud I am of him, etc. I started crying. Seriously. I am such a mom.

- If we return to the beach house and he remembers that's where we allegedly left all of his nunnies, we'll cross that bridge then. Of course we'll look all throughout the house and we won't be able to find them. Hopefully that will be enough. Maybe we'll just blame the cleaning lady next. I'm kidding.

24 comments
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What a big brave boy he was to go to bed without his beloved Nunnie. It made me sad to read it.

I have a feeling my conversation will be something like this in several months "How about we dont nurse tonight" followed by a dramatic temper tantrum as she tries to rip the clothes off my body!" Yup, I have set myself up for disaster.

Well...this is me crying big alligator tears! God bless Carter! What a big boy! He did so good! We have yet to take Easton's 'ra ra' away. We put him in a big boy bed Monday and Lance told him no ra ra in the big boy bed. He gave him one last time with his ra ra and i THOUGHT we were done. But come night time, Lance caved. Not really because Easton asked, but I think he wanted to be the hero. And that's ok with me. So, to bed he went. In his big boy bed for the first night with his ra-ra. Baby Steps. The ra-ra really is the ONE thing left that makes me feel like he's still a baby...so I'm with you, it's not hurting anyone (and its only for nap and bed and doesn't leave the house) so what's the harm! I'm proud of Carter and YOU! xoxox

Like I said on IG we did this maybe 2 weeks ago. I just told Savannah that her binkies are all gone because they are for babies and she's a big girl! (She turned 2 yesterday). She was upset (a little) at first, went looking for them in the morning, but otherwise no tears and it's been surprisingly easy. For her...for me? It was the toughest decision I have had to make in parenting. I hated it and it made me so sad...I still can't figure out why, maybe it's because that was truly the last "baby" left in her (minus the diapers). Who knows. It's amazing what these kids can handle, huh?

Such a sweet post AP! Got me tearing up - he acted like such a big boy, thinking it through and telling you that he would do it. So proud of you both! And a big hug and congrats to you as you celebrate your 3rd anniversary of becoming a mama. Cheers! xo

Ok, so I am over-emotional to begin with. Add being 35 weeks pregnant...welp, the hot tears are rolling down my cheeks. This is just the sweetest letter. I'm pretty sure I reacted the same way when you posted on IG bout leaving C's nunnie at the beach house. Elena just turned two and we decided to wait a bit to take her paci (which is only used for naps and bedtime) away, especially with little sister's impending arrival. I'll remember this sweet letter, and your strength, when our time comes. Thanks, AP.

Tears were rolling down my face just reading your first paragraph. Isn't it amazing what brave little guys they are when you least expect it. We just did the same not too long ago and I still get a little sad about him not having it. It was the very last bit of baby. I may even print this post out and put it in Tyler's baby book so he knows these were my exact feelings about him. So well written - I felt like I was in that same moment again. xo

Good job little man (and his mama!). I applaud you for waiting until the time was right for YOUR family not what everyone else thinks. This story may come in handy when Sawyer needs to get rid of the Wubby.

My daughter just turned two and to say she is attached to her paci is an understatement. I'm being urged by my ped to wean her from it but I feel like she's just not ready (or maybe it's just me)! How did you handle "unwanted orders" from your ped, assuming you we're in the same position?

My daughter just turned two and to say she is attached to her paci is an understatement. I'm being urged by my ped to wean her from it but I feel like she's just not ready (or maybe it's just me)! How did you handle "unwanted orders" from your ped, assuming you we're in the same position?

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